Debra McArthur's Blog

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We’ve all heard there is “strength in numbers,” meaning that a community is more than the sum of its parts. But for writers there is also “inspiration in numbers,” especially when writers gather in a nurturing and dynamic community. Every … Continue reading →

Today we honor and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is fitting that we do so, but the work he did is still far from finished. Daily newspaper headlines declare it. Personal interactions in the cities and … Continue reading →

Writing can be an emotional roller coaster. One day, I feel like I’m writing the next Newbery winner. The next, my muse has turned her back on me forever, and I worry that I’ll never have another idea in my … Continue reading →

Now that one manuscript is out and about, making the rounds on its route to publication, I’ve turned my attention to my next project: a novel set in 1942. Most Americans are aware of the incarceration of thousands of Japanese-Americans … Continue reading →

When it comes to fiction, I make mine historical. Maybe I’ll try other genres someday, but for now, I enjoy the experience of stepping back in time to create characters and tell their stories. But I’ll admit it can be … Continue reading →

Yes, that’s right. I’ve been officially certified as a “winner” in this year’s NaNoWriMo [i.e. National Novel Writing Month]. This prestigious recognition goes to writers who produce 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. Once the text … Continue reading →

It’s not a surprise that all the writers I know were voracious readers at a young age. They fell in love with words early. They gobbled up stories like candy. Some knew they wanted to be writers when they were … Continue reading →

Seven years ago this week, my husband was admitted to the hospital and spent a few days in Intensive Care. During that hospital stay, he received a lovely blooming azalea plant. Both of them have survived and thrived since then. … Continue reading →

No, it’s not Easter, but I’m hopping anyway. My fellow writer and good friend Michelle Houts has invited me to join in for a Blog Hop! Michelle lives in Ohio, and we have been friends through a wonderful group of … Continue reading →